Open Class Policy
It is College policy that, unless specifically exempted by statute, every course shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by anyone who has been admitted to the college and who meets such prerequisites and co-requisites as may be established pursuant to Title 5 of the California Administrative Code.
Academic Accommodation
Students with verified disabilities who may require academic adjustments or auxiliary aids are strongly recommended to contact the ACCESS office early to ensure timely provision of services. Students are encouraged to identify themselves to the appropriate instructors to discuss the details and timelines necessary to provide appropriate accommodations. Students enrolled in online courses are encouraged to contact ACCESS to request academic accommodation. Complaints regarding academic accommodations may be directed to the Vice President of Student Services at (760) 252-2411 ext 7309.
Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is expected from all students at Barstow Community College. Dishonesty in the classroom or the laboratory, cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the College are all grounds for discipline.
Attendance
Instructors have the authority to establish attendance standards in classes, and it is the student’s responsibility to meet these requirements. It is also the student’s responsibility to drop a class that he/she no longer plans to attend. Failure to officially withdraw from a class may result in a failing grade. Failure to attend a class once enrolled does not absolve students from payment of fees. Students will be held accountable for all fees incurred unless classes are dropped by the specified refund deadline.
Attendance at First Class Meeting
It is the student’s responsibility to participate fully in class(es) once enrollment is complete. Failure to participate prior to census (20% of the class) will result in an instructor drop. Instructors are required to drop all students considered a “no show” per state regulations. Instructors have the right to determine their own attendance and drop policy. Failure to attend the first class meeting may result in an instructor drop. If a student is unable to attend the first class meeting, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor before that class meeting and request that the seat be held. The instructor is under no obligation to honor this request.
Be sure to review all class syllabi to determine the instructor’s attendance and drop policy. Failure to abide by the policy may result in an instructor drop. If a student is dropped as a no show, the student cannot be added back to the class, unless the drop was a mistake and the student did actually attend the course. If such a circumstance occurs, the student should complete the Late Add Petition and submit it to the instructor; after verifying attendance, the instructor should submit the form to Admissions and Records for processing.
Campus Security Act
The Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542) requires that all colleges and universities receiving Title IV student aid assistance prepare and distribute an annual report setting forth its policies on crime prevention issues and giving statistics on the number of specific crimes which occur on campus. The report must include the number of arrests on campus for liquor law violation, drug abuse violations, and weapon possessions. In addition, the act requires colleges and universities to provide timely warnings to the campus community of certain crimes reported to campus security by local law enforcement which may be considered a threat to other students and employees. This information will be disseminated to students, faculty, and staff on an annual basis and made available in the Library and Student Services Office after September 1 of each year.
Although the College provides security and takes every reasonable preventive measure, it is important that students also take reasonable preventive steps to prevent or avoid criminal behavior. The majority of crimes on the campus are crimes of opportunity. This includes theft of private property such as bicycles, backpacks, books, and theft from vehicles. Awareness by members of the campus community is a major factor in reducing these types of crimes. Your willingness to secure your property and report suspicious activities to a staff member immediately will assist in this endeavor. There is an Incident Form available at Admissions and Records that will assist us in keeping our campus environment safe. Report verbally and in writing any incidents that you observe.
Children in Classrooms
Children are not permitted in classrooms while class is in session. Attendance in class is limited to officially enrolled students and authorized visitors and guests only. Students shall not allow children to be left unattended or unsupervised anywhere on campus. It is the responsibility of each faculty member to inform students of this requirement.
Computer Use
Employees and students who use District computers and networks and the information they contain, and related resources, have a responsibility not to abuse those resources and to respect the rights of others. Users must respect software copyrights and licenses, respect the integrity of computer-based information resources, refrain from seeking to gain unauthorized access, and respect the rights of other computer users. Students failing to observe the College’s computer use guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action.
Debts to the College
Barstow Community College reserves the right to withhold grades, transcripts, degrees, registration privileges, or any combination thereof, from any student or former student who has failed to pay a proper financial obligation due the District (e.g. returned check, financial aid overpayment, unpaid loan, equipment breakage, unpaid library fine, etc.) Any item or items withheld shall be released when the student satisfactorily meets the financial obligation. Returned checks must be paid in the form of cash or a cashier’s check, and a return check charge of $10 will be added to the amount of the check. Returned checks not resolved in a timely manner will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for collection. Barstow Community College participates in the Chancellor’s Office Tax Offset Program. Failure to pay outstanding debts will result in your name being forwarded for collection to the California Franchise Tax Board in the event that you are owed as state refund, win a California Lottery prize or have unclaimed property to be distributed to you by the State of California Controller’s Office for the upcoming tax year.
Drug-Free & Smoke-Free Campus
Barstow Community College supports a drug-free environment. In accordance with federal and state laws, it is unlawful to manufacture, possess, use, sell, or distribute alcohol, narcotics, or other controlled substances on College property or at any College-sponsored activity and is subject to disciplinary action. Both the abuse and moderate use of alcohol and illegal drugs can result in injury and death. While chronic problems are associated with long-term abuse, damage can occur from moderate or even a single experimental use of a substance. Alcohol and drug use seriously impair learning and motivation; disrupts the classroom; jeopardizes our physical and mental health; subjects us to criminal penalties; injures our families; erodes our relationships; and inhibits our ability to benefit from an education. Barstow Community College therefore asks you to support, maintain, and promote actively a drug-free learning environment by being aware and informing others of College policies, referral sources for help and the substantial legal, personal, and health consequences associated with use. If you or someone you know is having problems with alcohol or drugs, seek out confidential assistance on-campus, or from a community agency.
Barstow Community College has been designated a smoke-free campus. Smoking is prohibited in all campus buildings and within 20 feet of any doorway or window.
Nondiscrimination Policy
The District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and all access to institutional programs and activities. The District, and each individual who represents the District, shall provide access to its services, classes, and programs without regard to age, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation.
Students can present complaints regarding alleged violations of this policy to the Human Resources Director, Laura Benson, at (760) 252-2411 ext 7277. Complete instructions for filing a complaint can be found in Board Policy and Procedure 3410.
Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act Policy
Barstow Community College supports the idea that no person shall, on the basis of a physical or mental disability, be unlawfully subjected to discrimination under any program or activity offered under the control of the College. Any student or applicant for admission who believes he/she has been subject to a discriminatory action on the basis of a physical or mental disability may file a complaint with the Vice President of Student Affairs. An employee or applicant for employment may file a complaint with the Human Resources Director.
Inquiries regarding federal laws and regulations concerning nondiscrimination in education or the College’s compliance with those provisions may also be directed to:
Office for Civil Rights, Region IX
U.S. Department of Education
50 Beale Street, Suite 7200
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 486-5555 or ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov
Dr. Eduardo Vasquez
Interim Dean of Counseling and Student Success
Barstow Community College
2700 Barstow Road,
Barstow, CA 92311
Email: evasquez@barstow.edu
Phone: 760-252-2411 ext. 7322
Sexual Harassment Policy
The District is committed to providing an academic and work environment that respects the dignity of individuals and groups. The District shall be free of sexual harassment and all forms of sexual intimidation and exploitation. It shall also be free of other unlawful harassment, including that which is based on any of the following statutes; age, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or the perception that a person has one or more of the foregoing characteristics.
Sexual harassment violates state and federal laws, as well as Board policy, and will not be tolerated. It is also illegal to retaliate against any individual for filing a complaint of sexual harassment or for participating in a sexual harassment investigation, and retaliation constitutes a violation of this policy.
For more information regarding this policy and the procedures involved, contact the Human Resources Director (for staff), Laura Benson, at (760) 252-2411 ext 7277 or the Vice President, Student Services, (for students) Dr. Oscar Espinoza-Parra, 760-252-2411 ext. 7353, 2700 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311.
Student Conduct and Discipline
A student admitted to Barstow Community College has an obligation to conduct him/herself in a manner compatible with the social and educational functions of this institution. Published in the College Catalog is Board Policy 5500, which lists the types of conduct that constitute good cause for discipline, including but not limited to the removal, suspension, or expulsion of a student. With regard to disciplinary action, all students shall be entitled to due process in accordance with Education Code, Sections 66017 and 76037, and Board Policy and Procedures 5520.
Student Grievances
Barstow Community College encourages a prompt and equitable method of open communication between students, faculty, and staff. A student may file a grievance when he/she believes that a College faculty or staff member has violated College rules, policies, or procedures or other local, state, or federal laws. For additional information or a copy of the Student Grievance Policy and related procedures, contact the Office of Student Affairs.
Student Right-To-Know Disclosure
In compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, it is the policy of Barstow Community College to make available its completion and transfer rates to all current and prospective students.
Information about Student Right-to-Know rates for Barstow Community College and how they can be interpreted is published in the Student Handbook and can also be found at the California Community Colleges' web site, "Student Right-to-Know Information Clearinghouse," located at http://srtk.cccco.edu/index.asp .
Student Right-to-Know Disclosure
Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and California Education Code, a student may request to inspect all his/her official school records, files, and related data that are classified as student records. The records will be available for review at a mutually convenient time during regular working hours. If information in the file is inaccurate, misleading, or inappropriate, a student may request removal of the information or include a statement disputing the material that is challenged.
Students have a right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. FERPA permits disclosures without consent to "school officials" with "legitimate educational interests." "School officials" include Barstow Community College employees; agents of the College (such as an attorney or collection agent); or individuals, including students serving on official committees or assisting a school official perform his/her tasks. A school official has a "legitimate educational interest" if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his/her professional responsibility. Upon request, the Admissions and Records Office discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks to enroll.
Barstow Community College has designated as "directory" information a student’s name, enrollment status, major, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, past and present participation in recognized activities, and weight and height if an athletic team member.
Unless restricted by the student, the college may release directory information at any time to any requesting party, including the military and for the development of any college-affiliated marketing programs. Students may contact the Admissions and Records Office to limit the release of their directory information.
Title IX Policy
Barstow Community College is committed to support all regulations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." Questions regarding Title IX policies can be directed to the Human Resources Director at (760) 252-2411 ext 7277.
Traffic and Parking Regulations
Parking permits are not required, except all vehicles utilizing disabled parking must have a state-issued placard, i.e. Department of Motor Vehicle issued placard, DP, or DV plates. The speed limit unless otherwise posted is 25 MPH on campus roads and 10 MPH in campus parking lots.
Repeated violations of Barstow Community College’s traffic and parking regulations may result in disciplinary action.
